BACKGROUND Subchorionic hematoma(SCH)is a common complication in early pregnancy characterized by the accumulation of blood between the uterine wall and the chorionic membrane.SCH can lead to adverse pregnancy outcome...BACKGROUND Subchorionic hematoma(SCH)is a common complication in early pregnancy characterized by the accumulation of blood between the uterine wall and the chorionic membrane.SCH can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage,preterm birth,and other complications.Early detection and accurate assessment of SCH are crucial for appropriate management and improved pregnancy outcomes.AIM To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of virtual organ computer-assisted analysis(VOCAL)in measuring the volume ratio of SCH to gestational sac(GS)combined with serum progesterone on early pregnancy outcomes in patients with SCH.METHODS A total of 153 patients with SCH in their first-trimester pregnancies between 6 and 11 wk were enrolled.All patients were followed up until a gestational age of 20 wk.The parameters of transvaginal two-dimensional ultrasound,including the circumference of SCH(Cs),surface area of SCH(Ss),circumference of GS(Cg),and surface area of GS(Sg),and the parameters of VOCAL with transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound,including the three-dimensional volume of SCH(3DVs)and GS(3DVg),were recorded.The size of the SCH and its ratio to the GS size(Cs/Cg,Ss/Sg,3DVs/3DVg)were recorded and compared.RESULTS Compared with those in the normal pregnancy group,the adverse pregnancy group had higher Cs/Cg,Ss/Sg,and 3DVs/3DVg ratios(P<0.05).When 3DVs/3DVg was 0.220,the highest predictive performance predicted adverse pregnancy outcomes,resulting in an AUC of 0.767,and the sensitivity,specificity were 70.2%,75%respectively.VOCAL measuring 3DVs/3DVg combined with serum progesterone gave a diagnostic AUC of 0.824 for early pregnancy outcome in SCH patients,with a high sensitivity of 82.1%and a specificity of 72.1%,which showed a significant difference between AUC.CONCLUSION VOCAL-measured 3DVs/3DVg effectively quantifies the severity of SCH,while combined serum progesterone better predicts adverse pregnancy outcomes.展开更多
BACKGROUND Subepithelial lesions(SELs)are gastrointestinal tumors with heterogeneous malignant potential.Endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)is the leading method for evaluation,but without histopathological analysis,preci...BACKGROUND Subepithelial lesions(SELs)are gastrointestinal tumors with heterogeneous malignant potential.Endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)is the leading method for evaluation,but without histopathological analysis,precise differentiation of SEL risk is limited.Artificial intelligence(AI)is a promising aid for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal lesions in the absence of histopathology.AIM To determine the diagnostic accuracy of AI-assisted EUS in diagnosing SELs,especially lesions originating from the muscularis propria layer.METHODS Electronic databases including PubMed,EMBASE,and Cochrane Library were searched.Patients of any sex and>18 years,with SELs assessed by EUS AIassisted,with previous histopathological diagnosis,and presented sufficient data values which were extracted to construct a 2×2 table.The reference standard was histopathology.The primary outcome was the accuracy of AI for gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST).Secondary outcomes were AI-assisted EUS diagnosis for GIST vs gastrointestinal leiomyoma(GIL),the diagnostic performance of experienced endoscopists for GIST,and GIST vs GIL.Pooled sensitivity,specificity,positive,and negative predictive values were calculated.The corresponding summary receiver operating characteristic curve and post-test probability were also analyzed.RESULTS Eight retrospective studies with a total of 2355 patients and 44154 images were included in this meta-analysis.The AI-assisted EUS for GIST diagnosis showed a sensitivity of 92%[95%confidence interval(CI):0.89-0.95;P<0.01),specificity of 80%(95%CI:0.75-0.85;P<0.01),and area under the curve(AUC)of 0.949.For diagnosis of GIST vs GIL by AI-assisted EUS,specificity was 90%(95%CI:0.88-0.95;P=0.02)and AUC of 0.966.The experienced endoscopists’values were sensitivity of 72%(95%CI:0.67-0.76;P<0.01),specificity of 70%(95%CI:0.64-0.76;P<0.01),and AUC of 0.777 for GIST.Evaluating GIST vs GIL,the experts achieved a sensitivity of 73%(95%CI:0.65-0.80;P<0.01)and an AUC of 0.819.CONCLUSION AI-assisted EUS has high diagnostic accuracy for fourth-layer SELs,especially for GIST,demonstrating superiority compared to experienced endoscopists’and improving their diagnostic performance in the absence of invasive procedures.展开更多
[Objectives]The ultrasound-assisted aqueous two-phase extraction of sweet potato leaf polysaccharides was studied.[Methods]With the yield of sweet potato leaf polysaccharides as the index,the aqueous two-phase extract...[Objectives]The ultrasound-assisted aqueous two-phase extraction of sweet potato leaf polysaccharides was studied.[Methods]With the yield of sweet potato leaf polysaccharides as the index,the aqueous two-phase extraction system was determined,and the optimal extraction conditions were optimized by single-factor experiments and response surface methodology.[Results]The optimal parameters were ethanol concentration 25.68%,liquid-to-material ratio 55.83,and ultrasonic treatment time 38.33 min.Under these conditions,the yield of sweet potato leaf polysaccharides could reach 20.646 mg/g.[Conclusions]The ethanol/ammonium sulfate aqueous system is a rapid and efficient method for extracting sweet potato leaf polysaccharides,which is of great significance for the application of sweet potato leaf extract as a natural food additive.展开更多
The Y3Al5O12 (YAG) nanocrystals were synthesized by ultrasound-assisted and ultrasound- microwave-assisted alkoxide hydrolysis precipitation methods. The structures and morphology of the YAG were characterized by X-...The Y3Al5O12 (YAG) nanocrystals were synthesized by ultrasound-assisted and ultrasound- microwave-assisted alkoxide hydrolysis precipitation methods. The structures and morphology of the YAG were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The synthesis kinetics of two kinds of YAG nanocrystals was investigated using differential thermal analysis and thermo gravimetric analysis (DTA-TG) at different heating rates in argon gas. The results show that two kinds of YAG precursors have one obvious endothermic peak at 315-600 K. The apparent activation energy of two kinds of YAG precursors was calculated using the Doyle-Ozawa and Kissinger methods, the coefficients of reaction order, frequency factor and kinetic equations were also determined. The average apparent activation energy for the YAG precursor prepared by ultrasound-microwave assisted was calculated to be 80.76 kJ.mol-1 higher than the YAG precursor prepared by ultrasound-assisted synthesis (56.56 kJ.mol-1).展开更多
BACKGROUND Ultrasound guide technology,which can provide real-time visualization of the needle tip and tissues and avoid many adverse events,is widely used in mini-mally invasive therapy.However,the studies on ultraso...BACKGROUND Ultrasound guide technology,which can provide real-time visualization of the needle tip and tissues and avoid many adverse events,is widely used in mini-mally invasive therapy.However,the studies on ultrasound-guided Lateral recess block(LRB)are limited,this is probably because there is no recognized standard method for ultrasound scanning.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ultrasound-guided LRB in patients with lateral recess stenosis(LRS).CASE SUMMARY A 65-year-old patient complained of low back pain accompanied occasionally by pain and numbness in the left lower limb.Physical examination showed ten-derness on the spinous process and paraspinal muscles from L1 to S1,extensor hallucis longus and tibialis anterior weakness(muscle strength:4-),and a positive straight leg raising test in the left lower limb(60°).Magnetic resonance imaging showed L4–L5 disc degeneration with left LRS and nerve root entrapment.Subsequently,the patient was diagnosed with LRS.This patient was treated with a novel ultrasound-guided LRB approach.The patient’s symptoms significantly improved without any complications at 1 wk postoperatively and at the 3-month follow-up.CONCLUSION This is the first report on the LRS treatment with ultrasound-guided LRB from the contralateral spinous process along the inner side of the articular process by out-plane technique.Further studies are expected to investigate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided LRB for patients with LRS.展开更多
Waste cooking oil(WCO) is considered to be a promising alternative for vegetable oils that have been traditionally used for biodiesel production. In this study, WCO with a fairly high free fatty acid content was trans...Waste cooking oil(WCO) is considered to be a promising alternative for vegetable oils that have been traditionally used for biodiesel production. In this study, WCO with a fairly high free fatty acid content was transesterified into biodiesel in a one-step procedureat room temperature(25℃) under ultrasound irradiation and in the presence of potassium hydroxide(KOH) as catalysts. Response surface methodology(RSM) was used to investigate the effects of the methanol/oil molar ratio, reaction time,and catalyst loading on the fatty acid methyl ester(FAME) yield and the biodiesel yield. The optimal reaction conditions for the production of WCO biodiesel were found to be a methanol/oil molar ratio of 8.6:1, a reaction time of 25 min, and a catalyst loading of 2.43 wt%. Under these optimal settings,the FAME and biodiesel yields were 96.4% and 92.7%, respectively. The properties of the resultant WCO biodiesel, including kinetic viscosity, acid number, water content, and flash point, were measured according to ASTM D6751 standards. The obtained results provide useful information for the large-scale production of WCO biodiesel.展开更多
Percutaneous ultrasound has been a longstanding method in the diagnostics and interventional procedures of liver diseases.In some countries,its use is restricted to radiologists,limiting access for other clinicians,su...Percutaneous ultrasound has been a longstanding method in the diagnostics and interventional procedures of liver diseases.In some countries,its use is restricted to radiologists,limiting access for other clinicians,such as gastroenterologists.Endoscopic ultrasound,as a novel technique,plays a crucial role in diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases.However,its use is sometimes recommended for conditions where no clear advantage over percutaneous ultrasound exists,leaving the impression that clinicians sometimes resort to an endoscopic approach due to the unavailability of percutaneous options.展开更多
BACKGROUND Non-invasive differential diagnosis between hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and other liver cancer(i.e.cholangiocarcinoma or metastasis)is highly challenging and definitive diagnosis still relies on histologic...BACKGROUND Non-invasive differential diagnosis between hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and other liver cancer(i.e.cholangiocarcinoma or metastasis)is highly challenging and definitive diagnosis still relies on histological exam.The patterns of enhancement and wash-out of liver nodules can be used to stratify the risk of malignancy only in cirrhotic patients and HCC frequently shows atypical features.Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound(DCEUS)with standardized software could help to overcome these obstacles,providing functional and quantitative parameters and potentially improving accuracy in the evaluation of tumor perfusion.AIM To explore clinical evidence regarding the application of DCEUS in the differential diagnosis of liver nodules.METHODS A comprehensive literature search of clinical studies was performed to identify the parameters of DCEUS that could relate to histological diagnosis.In accordance with the study protocol,a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the evidence was planned.RESULTS Rise time was significantly higher in HCC patients with a standardized mean difference(SMD)of 0.83(95%CI:0.48-1.18).Similarly,other statistically significant parameters were mean transit time local with a SMD of 0.73(95%CI:0.20-1.27),peak enhancement with a SMD of 0.37(95%CI:0.03-0.70),area wash-in area under the curve with a SMD of 0.47(95%CI:0.13-0.81),wash-out area under the curve with a SMD of 0.55(95%CI:0.21-0.89)and wash-in and wash-out area under the curve with SMD of 0.51(95%CI:0.17-0.85).SMD resulted not significant in fall time and wash-in rate,but the latter presented a trend towards greater values in HCC compared to intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.CONCLUSION DCEUS could improve non-invasive diagnosis of HCC,leading to less liver biopsy and early treatment.This quantitative analysis needs to be applied on larger cohorts to confirm these preliminary results.展开更多
A convenient, environmentally benign, and highly efficient protocol for the preparation of N-arylhydroxylamines from the corresponding nitroarenes in a Zn/HCOONH4/CH3CN system under ultrasound is described The advanta...A convenient, environmentally benign, and highly efficient protocol for the preparation of N-arylhydroxylamines from the corresponding nitroarenes in a Zn/HCOONH4/CH3CN system under ultrasound is described The advantages of the present method include high chemoselectivity, simple and practical work-up procedure and high yield.展开更多
Cirrhosis is frequently associated with sarcopenia,with reported rates of over 80%in patients with decompensated alcohol-related liver disease.Sarcopenia nega-tively impacts the prognosis of cirrhotic patients and aff...Cirrhosis is frequently associated with sarcopenia,with reported rates of over 80%in patients with decompensated alcohol-related liver disease.Sarcopenia nega-tively impacts the prognosis of cirrhotic patients and affects the response to treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).For these reasons,identifying an easy-to-perform method to assess sarcopenia in is a key element in the optimization of care in this patient population.Assessment of muscle mass by computed tomography is considered the standard of care for the diagnosis of sarcopenia,but exposure to radiation and high costs limit its application in this setting,especially for repeated assessments.We believe that ultrasound,a cheap and harmless technique also used for HCC screening in cirrhotic patients,could have an expanding role in the diagnosis and follow-up of sarcopenia in these patients.展开更多
Point-of-care ultrasound(POCUS)of the internal jugular vein(IJV)offers a noninvasive means of estimating right atrial pressure(RAP),especially in cases where the inferior vena cava is inaccessible or unreliable due to...Point-of-care ultrasound(POCUS)of the internal jugular vein(IJV)offers a noninvasive means of estimating right atrial pressure(RAP),especially in cases where the inferior vena cava is inaccessible or unreliable due to conditions such as liver disease or abdominal surgery.While many clinicians are familiar with visually assessing jugular venous pressure through the internal jugular vein,this method lacks sensitivity.The utilization of POCUS significantly enhances the visualization of the vein,leading to a more accurate identification.It has been demonstrated that combining IJV POCUS with physical examination enhances the specificity of RAP estimation.This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the various sonographic techniques available for estimating RAP from the internal jugular vein,drawing upon existing data.展开更多
In order to suppress the low-frequency ultrasound vibration in the broadband range of 20 k Hz—100 k Hz,this paper proposes and discusses an acoustic metamaterial with low-frequency ultrasound vibration attenuation pr...In order to suppress the low-frequency ultrasound vibration in the broadband range of 20 k Hz—100 k Hz,this paper proposes and discusses an acoustic metamaterial with low-frequency ultrasound vibration attenuation properties,which is configured by hybrid arc and sharp-angle convergent star-shaped lattices.The effect of the dispersion relation and the bandgap characteristic for the scatterers in star-shaped are simulated and analyzed.The target bandgap width is extended by optimizing the geometry parameters of arc and sharp-angle convergent lattices.The proposed metamaterial configured by optimized hybrid lattices exhibits remarkable broad bandgap characteristics by bandgap complementarity,and the simulation results verify a 99%vibration attenuation amplitude can be obtained in the frequency of20 k Hz—100 k Hz.After the fabrication of the proposed hybrid configurational star-shaped metamaterial by 3D printing technique,the transmission loss experiments are performed,and the experimental results indicate that the fabricated metamaterial has the characteristics of broadband vibration attenuation and an amplitude greater than 85%attenuation for the target frequency.These results demonstrate that the hybrid configurational star-shaped metamaterials can effectively widen the bandgap and realize high efficiency attenuation,which has capability for the vibration attenuation in the application of highprecise equipment.展开更多
BACKGROUND The maximum outer diameter(MOD)of the appendix is an essential parameter for diagnosing acute appendicitis,but there is space for improvement in ultrasound(US)diagnostic performance.AIM To investigate wheth...BACKGROUND The maximum outer diameter(MOD)of the appendix is an essential parameter for diagnosing acute appendicitis,but there is space for improvement in ultrasound(US)diagnostic performance.AIM To investigate whether combining the ratio of the cross diameters(RATIO)of the appendix with MOD of the appendix can enhance the diagnostic performance of acute appendicitis.METHODS A retrospective study was conducted,and medical records of 233 patients with acute appendicitis and 112 patients with a normal appendix were reviewed.The MOD and RATIO of the appendix were calculated and tested for their diagnostic performance of acute appendicitis,both individually and in combination.RESULTS The RATIO for a normal appendix was 1.32±0.16,while for acute appendicitis it was 1.09±0.07.The cut-off value for RATIO was determined to be≤1.18.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)for diagnosing acute appendicitis using RATIO≤1.18 and MOD>6 mm was 0.870 and 0.652,respectively.There was a significant difference in AUC between RATIO≤1.18 and MOD>6 mm(P<0.0001).When comparing the combination of RATIO≤1.18 and MOD>6 mm with MOD>6 mm alone,the combination showed increased specificity,positive predictive value(PPV),and AUC.However,the sensitivity and negative predictive value decreased.CONCLUSION Combining RATIO of the appendix≤1.18 and MOD>6 mm can significantly improve the specificity,PPV,and AUC in the US diagnosis of acute appendicitis.展开更多
Background Deep convolutional neural networks have garnered considerable attention in numerous machine learning applications,particularly in visual recognition tasks such as image and video analyses.There is a growing...Background Deep convolutional neural networks have garnered considerable attention in numerous machine learning applications,particularly in visual recognition tasks such as image and video analyses.There is a growing interest in applying this technology to diverse applications in medical image analysis.Automated three dimensional Breast Ultrasound is a vital tool for detecting breast cancer,and computer-assisted diagnosis software,developed based on deep learning,can effectively assist radiologists in diagnosis.However,the network model is prone to overfitting during training,owing to challenges such as insufficient training data.This study attempts to solve the problem caused by small datasets and improve model detection performance.Methods We propose a breast cancer detection framework based on deep learning(a transfer learning method based on cross-organ cancer detection)and a contrastive learning method based on breast imaging reporting and data systems(BI-RADS).Results When using cross organ transfer learning and BIRADS based contrastive learning,the average sensitivity of the model increased by a maximum of 16.05%.Conclusion Our experiments have demonstrated that the parameters and experiences of cross-organ cancer detection can be mutually referenced,and contrastive learning method based on BI-RADS can improve the detection performance of the model.展开更多
Objective:Complete resection of malignant gliomas is often challenging.Our previous study indicated that intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound(ICEUS)could aid in the detection of residual tumor remnants and the ...Objective:Complete resection of malignant gliomas is often challenging.Our previous study indicated that intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound(ICEUS)could aid in the detection of residual tumor remnants and the total removal of brain lesions.This study aimed to investigate the survival rates of patients undergoing resection with or without the use of ICEUS and to assess the impact of ICEUS on the prognosis of patients with malignant glioma.Methods:A total of 64 patients diagnosed with malignant glioma(WHO grade HI and IV)who underwent surgery between 2012 and 2018 were included.Among them,29 patients received ICEUS.The effects of ICEUS on overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)of patients were evaluated.A quantitative analysis was performed to compare ICEUS parameters between gliomas and the surrounding tissues.Results:The ICEUS group showed better survival rates both in OS and PFS than the control group.The univariate analysis revealed that age,pathology and ICEUS were significant prognostic factors for PFS,with only age being a significant prognostic factor for OS.In multivariate analysis,age and ICEUS were significant prognostic factors for both OS and PFS.The quantitative analysis showed that the intensity and transit time of microbubbles reaching the tumors were significantly different from those of microbubbles reaching the surrounding tissue.Conclusion:ICEUS facilitates the identification of residual tumors.Age and ICEUS are prognostic factors for malignant glioma surgery,and use of ICEUS offers a better prognosis for patients with malignant glioma.展开更多
Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)with fine needle aspiration or fine needle biopsy is the gold standard for sampling tissue to diagnose pancreatic cancer and auto-immune pancreatitis or to analyze cyst fluid.The most common ...Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)with fine needle aspiration or fine needle biopsy is the gold standard for sampling tissue to diagnose pancreatic cancer and auto-immune pancreatitis or to analyze cyst fluid.The most common reported adverse event of fine needle aspiration and/or fine needle biopsy is acute pancreatitis,which is likely induced by the same pathophysiological mechanisms as after en-doscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP).According to the current European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guideline,nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are administered prior to ERCP as a scientifically proven treatment to reduce post-ERCP pancreatitis incidence rate.A single suppository of diclofenac or indomethacin prior to EUS guided tissue acquisition(TA)is harm-less in healthy adults.Since it is associated with low costs and,most important,may prevent a dreadsome complication,we strongly recommend the adminis-tration of 100 mg diclofenac rectally prior to EUS-TA.We will explain this recom-mendation in more detail in this review as well as the risk and pathophysiology of post-EUS TA pancreatitis.展开更多
BACKGROUND Morgagni hernias are rare anomalies that are easily misdiagnosed or missed.AIM To summarize the ultrasound(US)imaging characteristics of Morgagni hernias through a comparison of imaging and surgical results...BACKGROUND Morgagni hernias are rare anomalies that are easily misdiagnosed or missed.AIM To summarize the ultrasound(US)imaging characteristics of Morgagni hernias through a comparison of imaging and surgical results.METHODS The records of children with Morgagni hernias who were hospitalized at two hospitals between January 2013 and November 2023 were retrospectively re-viewed in terms of clinical findings,US features,and operative details.RESULTS Between 2013 and 2023,we observed nine(five male and four female)children with Morgagni hernias.Upper abdominal scanning revealed a widening of the prehepatic space,with an abnormal channel extending from the xiphoid process to the right or left side of the thoracic cavity.The channel had intestinal duct and intestinal gas echoes.Hernia contents were found in the transverse colon(n=6),the colon and small intestine(n=2),and the colon and stomach(n=1).Among the patients,seven had a right-sided lesion,two had a left-sided lesion,and all of them had hernial sacs.CONCLUSION US imaging can accurately determine the location,extent,and content of Morgagni hernias.For suspected Mor-gagni hernias,we recommend performing sonographic screening first.展开更多
Purpose: This review examines the diagnostic value of transvaginal 3D ultrasound image texture analysis for the diagnosis of uterine adhesions. Materials and Methods: The total clinical data of 53 patients with uterin...Purpose: This review examines the diagnostic value of transvaginal 3D ultrasound image texture analysis for the diagnosis of uterine adhesions. Materials and Methods: The total clinical data of 53 patients with uterine adhesions diagnosed by hysteroscopy and the imaging data of transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from June 2022 to August 2023 were retrospectively analysed. Based on hysteroscopic surgical records, patients were divided into two independent groups: normal endometrium and uterine adhesion sites. The samples were divided into a training set and a test set, and the transvaginal 3D ultrasound was used to outline the region of interest (ROI) and extract texture features for normal endometrium and uterine adhesions based on hysteroscopic surgical recordings, the training set data were feature screened and modelled using lasso regression and cross-validation, and the diagnostic efficacy of the model was assessed by applying the subjects’ operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: For each group, 290 texture feature parameters were extracted and three higher values were screened out, and the area under the curve of the constructed ultrasonographic scoring model was 0.658 and 0.720 in the training and test sets, respectively. Conclusion Relative clinical value of transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound image texture analysis for the diagnosis of uterine adhesions.展开更多
BACKGROUND Rectal mucosal melanoma is a rare and highly aggressive disease.Common symptoms include anal pain,an anal mass,or bleeding.As such,the disease is usually detected on rectal examination of patients with othe...BACKGROUND Rectal mucosal melanoma is a rare and highly aggressive disease.Common symptoms include anal pain,an anal mass,or bleeding.As such,the disease is usually detected on rectal examination of patients with other suspected anorectal diseases.However,due to its rarity and nonspecific symptoms,melanoma of the rectal mucosa is easily misdiagnosed.CASE SUMMARY This report describes the case of a 58-year-old female patient who presented with a history of blood in her stool for the prior one or two months,without any identifiable cause.During colonoscopy,a bulge of approximately 2.2 cm×2.0 cm was identified.Subsequently,the patient underwent endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)to characterize the depth of invasion of the lesions.EUS suggested a hypoechoic mucosal mass with involvement of the submucosal layer and heterogeneity of the internal echoes.Following surgical intervention,the excised tissue samples were examined and confirmed to be rectal malignant melanoma.The patient recovered well with no evidence of recurrence during follow-up.CONCLUSION This case shows that colonoscopy with EUS and pathological examination can accurately diagnose rare cases of rectal mucosal melanoma.展开更多
Background: Premature cervical softening and shortening may be considered an early mechanical failure that predispose to preterm birth. Purpose: This study aims to explore the applicability of an innovative cervical t...Background: Premature cervical softening and shortening may be considered an early mechanical failure that predispose to preterm birth. Purpose: This study aims to explore the applicability of an innovative cervical tactile ultrasound approach for predicting spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). Materials and Methods: Eligible participants were women with low-risk singleton pregnancies in their second trimester, enrolled in this prospective observational study. A Cervix Monitor (CM) device was designed with a vaginal probe comprising four tactile sensors and a single ultrasound transducer operating at 5 MHz. The probe enabled the application of controllable pressure to the external cervical surface, facilitating the acquisition of stress-strain data from both anterior and posterior cervical sectors. Gestational age at delivery was recorded and compared against cervical elasticity. Results: CM examination data were analyzed for 127 women at 24<sup>0/7</sup> - 28<sup>6/7</sup> gestational weeks. sPTB was observed in 6.3% of the cases. The preterm group exhibited a lower average cervical stress-to-strain ratio (elasticity) of 0.70 ± 0.26 kPa/mm compared to the term group’s 1.63 ± 0.65 kPa/mm with a p-value of 1.1 × 10<sup>−</sup><sup>4</sup>. Diagnostic accuracy for predicting spontaneous preterm birth based solely on cervical elasticity data was found to be 95.0% (95% CI, 88.5 - 100.0). Conclusion: These findings suggest that measuring cervical elasticity with the designed tactile ultrasound probe has the potential to predict spontaneous preterm birth in a cost-effective manner.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Subchorionic hematoma(SCH)is a common complication in early pregnancy characterized by the accumulation of blood between the uterine wall and the chorionic membrane.SCH can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage,preterm birth,and other complications.Early detection and accurate assessment of SCH are crucial for appropriate management and improved pregnancy outcomes.AIM To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of virtual organ computer-assisted analysis(VOCAL)in measuring the volume ratio of SCH to gestational sac(GS)combined with serum progesterone on early pregnancy outcomes in patients with SCH.METHODS A total of 153 patients with SCH in their first-trimester pregnancies between 6 and 11 wk were enrolled.All patients were followed up until a gestational age of 20 wk.The parameters of transvaginal two-dimensional ultrasound,including the circumference of SCH(Cs),surface area of SCH(Ss),circumference of GS(Cg),and surface area of GS(Sg),and the parameters of VOCAL with transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound,including the three-dimensional volume of SCH(3DVs)and GS(3DVg),were recorded.The size of the SCH and its ratio to the GS size(Cs/Cg,Ss/Sg,3DVs/3DVg)were recorded and compared.RESULTS Compared with those in the normal pregnancy group,the adverse pregnancy group had higher Cs/Cg,Ss/Sg,and 3DVs/3DVg ratios(P<0.05).When 3DVs/3DVg was 0.220,the highest predictive performance predicted adverse pregnancy outcomes,resulting in an AUC of 0.767,and the sensitivity,specificity were 70.2%,75%respectively.VOCAL measuring 3DVs/3DVg combined with serum progesterone gave a diagnostic AUC of 0.824 for early pregnancy outcome in SCH patients,with a high sensitivity of 82.1%and a specificity of 72.1%,which showed a significant difference between AUC.CONCLUSION VOCAL-measured 3DVs/3DVg effectively quantifies the severity of SCH,while combined serum progesterone better predicts adverse pregnancy outcomes.
文摘BACKGROUND Subepithelial lesions(SELs)are gastrointestinal tumors with heterogeneous malignant potential.Endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)is the leading method for evaluation,but without histopathological analysis,precise differentiation of SEL risk is limited.Artificial intelligence(AI)is a promising aid for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal lesions in the absence of histopathology.AIM To determine the diagnostic accuracy of AI-assisted EUS in diagnosing SELs,especially lesions originating from the muscularis propria layer.METHODS Electronic databases including PubMed,EMBASE,and Cochrane Library were searched.Patients of any sex and>18 years,with SELs assessed by EUS AIassisted,with previous histopathological diagnosis,and presented sufficient data values which were extracted to construct a 2×2 table.The reference standard was histopathology.The primary outcome was the accuracy of AI for gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST).Secondary outcomes were AI-assisted EUS diagnosis for GIST vs gastrointestinal leiomyoma(GIL),the diagnostic performance of experienced endoscopists for GIST,and GIST vs GIL.Pooled sensitivity,specificity,positive,and negative predictive values were calculated.The corresponding summary receiver operating characteristic curve and post-test probability were also analyzed.RESULTS Eight retrospective studies with a total of 2355 patients and 44154 images were included in this meta-analysis.The AI-assisted EUS for GIST diagnosis showed a sensitivity of 92%[95%confidence interval(CI):0.89-0.95;P<0.01),specificity of 80%(95%CI:0.75-0.85;P<0.01),and area under the curve(AUC)of 0.949.For diagnosis of GIST vs GIL by AI-assisted EUS,specificity was 90%(95%CI:0.88-0.95;P=0.02)and AUC of 0.966.The experienced endoscopists’values were sensitivity of 72%(95%CI:0.67-0.76;P<0.01),specificity of 70%(95%CI:0.64-0.76;P<0.01),and AUC of 0.777 for GIST.Evaluating GIST vs GIL,the experts achieved a sensitivity of 73%(95%CI:0.65-0.80;P<0.01)and an AUC of 0.819.CONCLUSION AI-assisted EUS has high diagnostic accuracy for fourth-layer SELs,especially for GIST,demonstrating superiority compared to experienced endoscopists’and improving their diagnostic performance in the absence of invasive procedures.
文摘[Objectives]The ultrasound-assisted aqueous two-phase extraction of sweet potato leaf polysaccharides was studied.[Methods]With the yield of sweet potato leaf polysaccharides as the index,the aqueous two-phase extraction system was determined,and the optimal extraction conditions were optimized by single-factor experiments and response surface methodology.[Results]The optimal parameters were ethanol concentration 25.68%,liquid-to-material ratio 55.83,and ultrasonic treatment time 38.33 min.Under these conditions,the yield of sweet potato leaf polysaccharides could reach 20.646 mg/g.[Conclusions]The ethanol/ammonium sulfate aqueous system is a rapid and efficient method for extracting sweet potato leaf polysaccharides,which is of great significance for the application of sweet potato leaf extract as a natural food additive.
基金Funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51308086)the Program for Liaoning Excellent Talents in University(No.LJQ2015020)the Scientific Research Fund of Liaoning Provincial Education Department of China(No.L2012161)
文摘The Y3Al5O12 (YAG) nanocrystals were synthesized by ultrasound-assisted and ultrasound- microwave-assisted alkoxide hydrolysis precipitation methods. The structures and morphology of the YAG were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The synthesis kinetics of two kinds of YAG nanocrystals was investigated using differential thermal analysis and thermo gravimetric analysis (DTA-TG) at different heating rates in argon gas. The results show that two kinds of YAG precursors have one obvious endothermic peak at 315-600 K. The apparent activation energy of two kinds of YAG precursors was calculated using the Doyle-Ozawa and Kissinger methods, the coefficients of reaction order, frequency factor and kinetic equations were also determined. The average apparent activation energy for the YAG precursor prepared by ultrasound-microwave assisted was calculated to be 80.76 kJ.mol-1 higher than the YAG precursor prepared by ultrasound-assisted synthesis (56.56 kJ.mol-1).
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82305380The Postdoctoral Research Program,West China Hospital,Sichuan University,No.2020HXBH018.
文摘BACKGROUND Ultrasound guide technology,which can provide real-time visualization of the needle tip and tissues and avoid many adverse events,is widely used in mini-mally invasive therapy.However,the studies on ultrasound-guided Lateral recess block(LRB)are limited,this is probably because there is no recognized standard method for ultrasound scanning.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ultrasound-guided LRB in patients with lateral recess stenosis(LRS).CASE SUMMARY A 65-year-old patient complained of low back pain accompanied occasionally by pain and numbness in the left lower limb.Physical examination showed ten-derness on the spinous process and paraspinal muscles from L1 to S1,extensor hallucis longus and tibialis anterior weakness(muscle strength:4-),and a positive straight leg raising test in the left lower limb(60°).Magnetic resonance imaging showed L4–L5 disc degeneration with left LRS and nerve root entrapment.Subsequently,the patient was diagnosed with LRS.This patient was treated with a novel ultrasound-guided LRB approach.The patient’s symptoms significantly improved without any complications at 1 wk postoperatively and at the 3-month follow-up.CONCLUSION This is the first report on the LRS treatment with ultrasound-guided LRB from the contralateral spinous process along the inner side of the articular process by out-plane technique.Further studies are expected to investigate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided LRB for patients with LRS.
基金the financial support from NSERC Discovery(RGPIN 04211)NSERC CRDPJ 492179.
文摘Waste cooking oil(WCO) is considered to be a promising alternative for vegetable oils that have been traditionally used for biodiesel production. In this study, WCO with a fairly high free fatty acid content was transesterified into biodiesel in a one-step procedureat room temperature(25℃) under ultrasound irradiation and in the presence of potassium hydroxide(KOH) as catalysts. Response surface methodology(RSM) was used to investigate the effects of the methanol/oil molar ratio, reaction time,and catalyst loading on the fatty acid methyl ester(FAME) yield and the biodiesel yield. The optimal reaction conditions for the production of WCO biodiesel were found to be a methanol/oil molar ratio of 8.6:1, a reaction time of 25 min, and a catalyst loading of 2.43 wt%. Under these optimal settings,the FAME and biodiesel yields were 96.4% and 92.7%, respectively. The properties of the resultant WCO biodiesel, including kinetic viscosity, acid number, water content, and flash point, were measured according to ASTM D6751 standards. The obtained results provide useful information for the large-scale production of WCO biodiesel.
文摘Percutaneous ultrasound has been a longstanding method in the diagnostics and interventional procedures of liver diseases.In some countries,its use is restricted to radiologists,limiting access for other clinicians,such as gastroenterologists.Endoscopic ultrasound,as a novel technique,plays a crucial role in diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases.However,its use is sometimes recommended for conditions where no clear advantage over percutaneous ultrasound exists,leaving the impression that clinicians sometimes resort to an endoscopic approach due to the unavailability of percutaneous options.
文摘BACKGROUND Non-invasive differential diagnosis between hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and other liver cancer(i.e.cholangiocarcinoma or metastasis)is highly challenging and definitive diagnosis still relies on histological exam.The patterns of enhancement and wash-out of liver nodules can be used to stratify the risk of malignancy only in cirrhotic patients and HCC frequently shows atypical features.Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound(DCEUS)with standardized software could help to overcome these obstacles,providing functional and quantitative parameters and potentially improving accuracy in the evaluation of tumor perfusion.AIM To explore clinical evidence regarding the application of DCEUS in the differential diagnosis of liver nodules.METHODS A comprehensive literature search of clinical studies was performed to identify the parameters of DCEUS that could relate to histological diagnosis.In accordance with the study protocol,a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the evidence was planned.RESULTS Rise time was significantly higher in HCC patients with a standardized mean difference(SMD)of 0.83(95%CI:0.48-1.18).Similarly,other statistically significant parameters were mean transit time local with a SMD of 0.73(95%CI:0.20-1.27),peak enhancement with a SMD of 0.37(95%CI:0.03-0.70),area wash-in area under the curve with a SMD of 0.47(95%CI:0.13-0.81),wash-out area under the curve with a SMD of 0.55(95%CI:0.21-0.89)and wash-in and wash-out area under the curve with SMD of 0.51(95%CI:0.17-0.85).SMD resulted not significant in fall time and wash-in rate,but the latter presented a trend towards greater values in HCC compared to intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.CONCLUSION DCEUS could improve non-invasive diagnosis of HCC,leading to less liver biopsy and early treatment.This quantitative analysis needs to be applied on larger cohorts to confirm these preliminary results.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.20676020)the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in Universities of China(No.IRT0711).
文摘A convenient, environmentally benign, and highly efficient protocol for the preparation of N-arylhydroxylamines from the corresponding nitroarenes in a Zn/HCOONH4/CH3CN system under ultrasound is described The advantages of the present method include high chemoselectivity, simple and practical work-up procedure and high yield.
文摘Cirrhosis is frequently associated with sarcopenia,with reported rates of over 80%in patients with decompensated alcohol-related liver disease.Sarcopenia nega-tively impacts the prognosis of cirrhotic patients and affects the response to treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).For these reasons,identifying an easy-to-perform method to assess sarcopenia in is a key element in the optimization of care in this patient population.Assessment of muscle mass by computed tomography is considered the standard of care for the diagnosis of sarcopenia,but exposure to radiation and high costs limit its application in this setting,especially for repeated assessments.We believe that ultrasound,a cheap and harmless technique also used for HCC screening in cirrhotic patients,could have an expanding role in the diagnosis and follow-up of sarcopenia in these patients.
文摘Point-of-care ultrasound(POCUS)of the internal jugular vein(IJV)offers a noninvasive means of estimating right atrial pressure(RAP),especially in cases where the inferior vena cava is inaccessible or unreliable due to conditions such as liver disease or abdominal surgery.While many clinicians are familiar with visually assessing jugular venous pressure through the internal jugular vein,this method lacks sensitivity.The utilization of POCUS significantly enhances the visualization of the vein,leading to a more accurate identification.It has been demonstrated that combining IJV POCUS with physical examination enhances the specificity of RAP estimation.This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the various sonographic techniques available for estimating RAP from the internal jugular vein,drawing upon existing data.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.51821003,52175524,61704158)the Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province(Grant No.202103021224206)Shanxi"1331 Project"Key Subjects Construction to provide fund for conducting experiments。
文摘In order to suppress the low-frequency ultrasound vibration in the broadband range of 20 k Hz—100 k Hz,this paper proposes and discusses an acoustic metamaterial with low-frequency ultrasound vibration attenuation properties,which is configured by hybrid arc and sharp-angle convergent star-shaped lattices.The effect of the dispersion relation and the bandgap characteristic for the scatterers in star-shaped are simulated and analyzed.The target bandgap width is extended by optimizing the geometry parameters of arc and sharp-angle convergent lattices.The proposed metamaterial configured by optimized hybrid lattices exhibits remarkable broad bandgap characteristics by bandgap complementarity,and the simulation results verify a 99%vibration attenuation amplitude can be obtained in the frequency of20 k Hz—100 k Hz.After the fabrication of the proposed hybrid configurational star-shaped metamaterial by 3D printing technique,the transmission loss experiments are performed,and the experimental results indicate that the fabricated metamaterial has the characteristics of broadband vibration attenuation and an amplitude greater than 85%attenuation for the target frequency.These results demonstrate that the hybrid configurational star-shaped metamaterials can effectively widen the bandgap and realize high efficiency attenuation,which has capability for the vibration attenuation in the application of highprecise equipment.
文摘BACKGROUND The maximum outer diameter(MOD)of the appendix is an essential parameter for diagnosing acute appendicitis,but there is space for improvement in ultrasound(US)diagnostic performance.AIM To investigate whether combining the ratio of the cross diameters(RATIO)of the appendix with MOD of the appendix can enhance the diagnostic performance of acute appendicitis.METHODS A retrospective study was conducted,and medical records of 233 patients with acute appendicitis and 112 patients with a normal appendix were reviewed.The MOD and RATIO of the appendix were calculated and tested for their diagnostic performance of acute appendicitis,both individually and in combination.RESULTS The RATIO for a normal appendix was 1.32±0.16,while for acute appendicitis it was 1.09±0.07.The cut-off value for RATIO was determined to be≤1.18.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)for diagnosing acute appendicitis using RATIO≤1.18 and MOD>6 mm was 0.870 and 0.652,respectively.There was a significant difference in AUC between RATIO≤1.18 and MOD>6 mm(P<0.0001).When comparing the combination of RATIO≤1.18 and MOD>6 mm with MOD>6 mm alone,the combination showed increased specificity,positive predictive value(PPV),and AUC.However,the sensitivity and negative predictive value decreased.CONCLUSION Combining RATIO of the appendix≤1.18 and MOD>6 mm can significantly improve the specificity,PPV,and AUC in the US diagnosis of acute appendicitis.
基金Macao Polytechnic University Grant(RP/FCSD-01/2022RP/FCA-05/2022)Science and Technology Development Fund of Macao(0105/2022/A).
文摘Background Deep convolutional neural networks have garnered considerable attention in numerous machine learning applications,particularly in visual recognition tasks such as image and video analyses.There is a growing interest in applying this technology to diverse applications in medical image analysis.Automated three dimensional Breast Ultrasound is a vital tool for detecting breast cancer,and computer-assisted diagnosis software,developed based on deep learning,can effectively assist radiologists in diagnosis.However,the network model is prone to overfitting during training,owing to challenges such as insufficient training data.This study attempts to solve the problem caused by small datasets and improve model detection performance.Methods We propose a breast cancer detection framework based on deep learning(a transfer learning method based on cross-organ cancer detection)and a contrastive learning method based on breast imaging reporting and data systems(BI-RADS).Results When using cross organ transfer learning and BIRADS based contrastive learning,the average sensitivity of the model increased by a maximum of 16.05%.Conclusion Our experiments have demonstrated that the parameters and experiences of cross-organ cancer detection can be mutually referenced,and contrastive learning method based on BI-RADS can improve the detection performance of the model.
基金funded by grants from the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province,China(No.2022CFB307)and the Foundation of Tongji Hospital(No.2020JZKT292).
文摘Objective:Complete resection of malignant gliomas is often challenging.Our previous study indicated that intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound(ICEUS)could aid in the detection of residual tumor remnants and the total removal of brain lesions.This study aimed to investigate the survival rates of patients undergoing resection with or without the use of ICEUS and to assess the impact of ICEUS on the prognosis of patients with malignant glioma.Methods:A total of 64 patients diagnosed with malignant glioma(WHO grade HI and IV)who underwent surgery between 2012 and 2018 were included.Among them,29 patients received ICEUS.The effects of ICEUS on overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)of patients were evaluated.A quantitative analysis was performed to compare ICEUS parameters between gliomas and the surrounding tissues.Results:The ICEUS group showed better survival rates both in OS and PFS than the control group.The univariate analysis revealed that age,pathology and ICEUS were significant prognostic factors for PFS,with only age being a significant prognostic factor for OS.In multivariate analysis,age and ICEUS were significant prognostic factors for both OS and PFS.The quantitative analysis showed that the intensity and transit time of microbubbles reaching the tumors were significantly different from those of microbubbles reaching the surrounding tissue.Conclusion:ICEUS facilitates the identification of residual tumors.Age and ICEUS are prognostic factors for malignant glioma surgery,and use of ICEUS offers a better prognosis for patients with malignant glioma.
文摘Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)with fine needle aspiration or fine needle biopsy is the gold standard for sampling tissue to diagnose pancreatic cancer and auto-immune pancreatitis or to analyze cyst fluid.The most common reported adverse event of fine needle aspiration and/or fine needle biopsy is acute pancreatitis,which is likely induced by the same pathophysiological mechanisms as after en-doscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP).According to the current European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guideline,nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are administered prior to ERCP as a scientifically proven treatment to reduce post-ERCP pancreatitis incidence rate.A single suppository of diclofenac or indomethacin prior to EUS guided tissue acquisition(TA)is harm-less in healthy adults.Since it is associated with low costs and,most important,may prevent a dreadsome complication,we strongly recommend the adminis-tration of 100 mg diclofenac rectally prior to EUS-TA.We will explain this recom-mendation in more detail in this review as well as the risk and pathophysiology of post-EUS TA pancreatitis.
基金Supported by Startup Fund for Scientific Research,Fujian Province Science and Technology Innovation Joint Fund Project,No.2021Y9188.
文摘BACKGROUND Morgagni hernias are rare anomalies that are easily misdiagnosed or missed.AIM To summarize the ultrasound(US)imaging characteristics of Morgagni hernias through a comparison of imaging and surgical results.METHODS The records of children with Morgagni hernias who were hospitalized at two hospitals between January 2013 and November 2023 were retrospectively re-viewed in terms of clinical findings,US features,and operative details.RESULTS Between 2013 and 2023,we observed nine(five male and four female)children with Morgagni hernias.Upper abdominal scanning revealed a widening of the prehepatic space,with an abnormal channel extending from the xiphoid process to the right or left side of the thoracic cavity.The channel had intestinal duct and intestinal gas echoes.Hernia contents were found in the transverse colon(n=6),the colon and small intestine(n=2),and the colon and stomach(n=1).Among the patients,seven had a right-sided lesion,two had a left-sided lesion,and all of them had hernial sacs.CONCLUSION US imaging can accurately determine the location,extent,and content of Morgagni hernias.For suspected Mor-gagni hernias,we recommend performing sonographic screening first.
文摘Purpose: This review examines the diagnostic value of transvaginal 3D ultrasound image texture analysis for the diagnosis of uterine adhesions. Materials and Methods: The total clinical data of 53 patients with uterine adhesions diagnosed by hysteroscopy and the imaging data of transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from June 2022 to August 2023 were retrospectively analysed. Based on hysteroscopic surgical records, patients were divided into two independent groups: normal endometrium and uterine adhesion sites. The samples were divided into a training set and a test set, and the transvaginal 3D ultrasound was used to outline the region of interest (ROI) and extract texture features for normal endometrium and uterine adhesions based on hysteroscopic surgical recordings, the training set data were feature screened and modelled using lasso regression and cross-validation, and the diagnostic efficacy of the model was assessed by applying the subjects’ operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: For each group, 290 texture feature parameters were extracted and three higher values were screened out, and the area under the curve of the constructed ultrasonographic scoring model was 0.658 and 0.720 in the training and test sets, respectively. Conclusion Relative clinical value of transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound image texture analysis for the diagnosis of uterine adhesions.
基金Supported by The Research Foundation of Wuhan Municipal Health Commission,No.WX21D02.
文摘BACKGROUND Rectal mucosal melanoma is a rare and highly aggressive disease.Common symptoms include anal pain,an anal mass,or bleeding.As such,the disease is usually detected on rectal examination of patients with other suspected anorectal diseases.However,due to its rarity and nonspecific symptoms,melanoma of the rectal mucosa is easily misdiagnosed.CASE SUMMARY This report describes the case of a 58-year-old female patient who presented with a history of blood in her stool for the prior one or two months,without any identifiable cause.During colonoscopy,a bulge of approximately 2.2 cm×2.0 cm was identified.Subsequently,the patient underwent endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)to characterize the depth of invasion of the lesions.EUS suggested a hypoechoic mucosal mass with involvement of the submucosal layer and heterogeneity of the internal echoes.Following surgical intervention,the excised tissue samples were examined and confirmed to be rectal malignant melanoma.The patient recovered well with no evidence of recurrence during follow-up.CONCLUSION This case shows that colonoscopy with EUS and pathological examination can accurately diagnose rare cases of rectal mucosal melanoma.
文摘Background: Premature cervical softening and shortening may be considered an early mechanical failure that predispose to preterm birth. Purpose: This study aims to explore the applicability of an innovative cervical tactile ultrasound approach for predicting spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). Materials and Methods: Eligible participants were women with low-risk singleton pregnancies in their second trimester, enrolled in this prospective observational study. A Cervix Monitor (CM) device was designed with a vaginal probe comprising four tactile sensors and a single ultrasound transducer operating at 5 MHz. The probe enabled the application of controllable pressure to the external cervical surface, facilitating the acquisition of stress-strain data from both anterior and posterior cervical sectors. Gestational age at delivery was recorded and compared against cervical elasticity. Results: CM examination data were analyzed for 127 women at 24<sup>0/7</sup> - 28<sup>6/7</sup> gestational weeks. sPTB was observed in 6.3% of the cases. The preterm group exhibited a lower average cervical stress-to-strain ratio (elasticity) of 0.70 ± 0.26 kPa/mm compared to the term group’s 1.63 ± 0.65 kPa/mm with a p-value of 1.1 × 10<sup>−</sup><sup>4</sup>. Diagnostic accuracy for predicting spontaneous preterm birth based solely on cervical elasticity data was found to be 95.0% (95% CI, 88.5 - 100.0). Conclusion: These findings suggest that measuring cervical elasticity with the designed tactile ultrasound probe has the potential to predict spontaneous preterm birth in a cost-effective manner.